UE and USI will each name a new president in 2018 as current leaders retire

EVANSVILLE, Ind. — In the new year, Evansville’s two universities are actively on the hunt for new leaders.

Last summer University of Evansville President Thomas Kazee and University of Southern Indiana President Linda Bennett both announced they would leave their posts after one more school year.

Both universities have webpages dedicated to keeping the community up-to-date on the status and timeline of the search, including qualities sought in a new president, application information and a list of search committee members.

Each university also has a confidentiality agreement, which had to be signed by all members of the two search committees, to keep information and material related to the search confidential, including who applies or is nominated for the position.

Copies of those agreements can be found on the UE and USI presidential search webpages.

University of Evansville

Last July, Kazee announced his plan to retire as UE’s 23rd president on May 31. Kazee, 65, said after one more school year, it’s time to “move on to whatever life brings us next.”

Kazee’s successor will ultimately be decided by a 19-person search committee.

Sally Rideout, UE Board of Trustees member and 1991 alumna, is leading the nationwide search along with three consultants from outside executive search firm Witt/Kieffer: Dennis M. Barden, Charlene Aguilar and Elizabeth K. Bohan.

“It’s the same search firm that was used when Thomas Kazee was hired. … The search firm has a huge role – the most significant – and are experts at doing this,” Rideout said.

The consultants are currently reviewing nominations and applications, as well as searching for potential candidates, which will continue through the end of January.

The application and nomination timeline ends Jan. 31, according to the website, which requests information be sent to the national search firm.

“Consultants and the committee will really start to narrow down the candidates, and we continue the plan to announce – hopefully – the next president in late spring prior to Kazee’s retirement May 31,” Rideout said.

Rideout admitted leading the search committee is a “little daunting” but believes the group will find the right person to lead the small, liberal arts college through transitions and continue international education.

“The university is in good shape, but we also have some challenges like everybody else in higher education. … The meetings we’ve had have been very productive and fruitful,” she said. “I’m an alum and love the university and can’t wait to hire that next person.”

Linda Bennett
Linda Bennett, third president of the University of Southern Indiana(Photo: Photo supplied/University of Sou)

USI Board of Trustees chair Harold Calloway is leading the committee in a national search, along with outside executive search firm Storbeck/Pimentel & Associates. Consultants Steve Leo, Matt Bunting and Brian Bustin are searching for candidates and advertising the position.

Calloway sent an email in mid-December to the USI community, which included results of a survey meant to define the experiences, traits and opportunities USI administrators, faculty and students see as most important when choosing the next president.

The top answer for the question concerning opportunities for the next president was: “implement a strategy of strategic growth, providing the resources required to support growing programs” with 143 people, or 44 percent, voting for it.

The No. 1 trait desired in a new president was “impeccable integrity” with 184, or 57.8 percent, of votes.

And the highest ranked experience for a new leader was “record of supporting and building strong faculty and staff" with 192, or 61.7 percent, of votes.

The national search firm is currently contacting nominated candidates, Calloway’s email stated, and actively recruiting other prospective applicants. He said applications will be reviewed through January.

The application and nomination timeline closes Jan. 15, according to the website, which requests information be sent to the national search firm.

Calloway said they are “on track” to conduct preliminary interviews next month, with a goal to interview and present final candidates to the Board of Trustees in March.

The number of applicants up to this point and their names were not mentioned or released. On the presidential search website, it states “all applications and nominations shall be confidential.”

“We are extremely excited about the future of the university. … It is our hope that we identify and select the best individual possible to lead USI into a bright future,” Calloway said.

Bennett, 65, announced last August that “it is a good time to think about the next chapter.” She will retire June 30 after serving nine years as USI's first female president.

Calloway said the board believes it's important to find someone that contains a similar spirit as Bennett.

"We're looking for people who have good communication skills," he said. "People who are inclusive. People who have an idea about where higher education is going to be as we move forward. ... A person that has honesty and integrity is important to me, and trustworthiness."